Rechargeable gas candle



Jan. 19, 1965 s. A. GREEN ETAL 3,165,909

RECHARGEABLE GAS CANDLE Filed April 17, 1963 I Q QAQ \7 u l&

I5 INVENTORS.

GEORGE A. GREEN F Z ROBERT H. GREEN 2 Z M, 56 5/,

f Prr m f 3 ATTORNEYS.

3,165,969 RECHARGEAELE GAS CANDLE George A. Green, 3232 Bradford Road, Cleveland Heights, @hio, and Robert H. Green, 19011 Mitchell Ave, Rocky River, Ghio Filed Apr. 17, 1%3, Ser. No. 273,773 3 (Ilaims. (Cl. 678'7) This invention relates to gas burning open flame burners and particularly to gas burning simulated candles having a self-contained rechargeable supply of liquid petroleum which is metered and evaporated to atmosphere through a flame-supporting tip at one end of the candle.

An object of our invention is to provide gas burning apparatus which simulates in appearance a conventional wax candle but which is not consumed through use as is a wax candle. It is also our object to provide such a candle which will provide an open flame not unlike the flame produced by a conventional wax candle or the like. It is also an object of our invention to provide such a candle that will burn liquid petroleum with such a flame for appreciable lengths of time commensurate with the ordinary useful life of a wax candle or the like from its self-contained supply of fuel. Another obiectof our invention is to provide such a candle that is easily and simply rechargeable with liquid petroleum or similar fuel. Another object is to provide such a candle rechargeable with ease and convenience from readily available and conventional supplies of low pressure containers of liquid petroleum or similar fuel. Yet another object of our invention is to provide such a candle that is attractive, easily operated and rechargeable, inexpensive, more durable than waX candles, and otherwise desirable for use in the home and other suitable places.

The foregoing objects as well as other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of our invention together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a gas burning candle embodying our invention shown in a nonburning condition;

FIGURE 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of the candle shown in FlGURE l but shown in a burning conditlon; and

FIGURE 3 is a partial axial cross-sectional view of the flame-supporting end of the candle shown in FIGURE 1 but shown in a nonburning condition.

As shown in the drawings, the general outline and representation of a conventional wax candle or the like is provided by a longitudinally extending cylindrical shell 10. Shell 10, of course, need not be of circular cross section but may be of any desired shape and preferably is tapered toward its upper or flame-producing end in'the manner shown in the drawings. Preferably this shell is formed of extruded aluminum and may be anodized any one of a wide range of colors to enhance its decorative qualities. It will be apparent, of course, that the shell may be made of any of a number of other materials, it being necessary only that the shell have sufiicient mechanical strength to withstand the normal handling of an article of its nature as well as contain relative low pressures such as approximately 15 to 30 pounds per square inch gauge.

The end 11 of shell which is at the lower end of l the candle when supported for use in the normal manner of a candle in a candle holder or the like is closed and provided with a valving means for recharging or refueling the candle with a supply of liquid petroleum or the like. In the preferred form of our invention shown in the drawings, lower end 11 of the candle is closed by a nited States arm 0 molded rubber plug 12 of slightly greater outside diameter than the internal diameter of lower end 11 of shell 10 so that when plug 12 is inserted in end 11 of shell 10 it must be compressed slightly and thereby effects a seal against the outflow of liquid petroleum from the lower end of the candle.

The candle of our invention is rechargeable through plug 12 in its lower end from a readily available conventional low pressure can of liquid petroleum such as manufactured and sold by the Prepo Corporation of Edgerton, Wisconsin. To this end, plug 12 is preferably provided with a recessed counterbore 14 in its outside face 15. Extending from the bottom of counterbore 14 to the inside face 16 of plug 12 is a passage 17 of suitable bore to contain a valving means indicated generally at 18. The valving means is spring-biased to close passage 17 against the outflow of fluid contained within shell 10 but permitting flow through passage 17 into shell 16 when the valve is opened against spring 19. Preferably, we employ a tire core valve in passage 17. The diameter of passage 17 is sized so that the tire core valve is snugly received and able to effectively open and close the passage.

The tire core valve with its conventional operating stem 20 in cooperation with recessed counterbore 14 constitutes a simple and emcient means for charging the candle from conventional low pressure cans of liquid petroleum. Recessed counterbore 14 is of a diameter which snugly fits the upper annular rim surrounding the valve outlet of well-known forms of supply cans so that an effective seal is made between plug 12 and the can when recharging the candle. The discharge outlet of the conventional supply can opens valving means 18 by operation of its operating stem 20 when counterbore 14 sealingly engages the annular rim conventionally provided adjacent to and around the discharge outlet. This arrangement permits the easy and simple transfer of liquid petroleum or like fuel from a low pressure supply of the fuel into the candle in liquid form.

At the other end of the candle or the upper end as the candle is shown in the drawings and indicated gen erally at 25, the fuel in liquid state contained within shell 16 is evaporated and discharged to atmosphere at a metered rate of flow. To this end, we provide in the preferred form of our invention molded rubber plug 26 which has slightly larger outside dimensions than the interior of that portion of shell 10 in which it is placed. The yieldable resilient nature of the plug permits it to be tightly and sealingly fitted within the end of shell 10 upon a slight compression of the plug. As shown in FIGURE 2, upper end 25 of shell 10 is somewhat tapered or tends toward a point. We have found it best to have the exterior dimensions of the plug 26 molded in a corresponding shape but in the slightly oversized dimensions mentioned above.

A passage 27 is provided generally centrally of plug 26 extending therethrough from inside face 28 to outside face 29. A portion of passage 27 adjacent to and opening upon inside face 28 has an enlarged bore 31) for receiving a porous ceramic pressure-reducing and metering element 31. The outside diameter of porous ceramic element 31 is slightly larger than the inside diameter of enlarged bore 39 so that element 31 is grippingly received and retained in the enlarged bore portion 30 of passage 27 by the yieldable resilient nature of plug 26.

An enlarged bore 32 is provided adjacent to and opens upon outside face 29 of plug 26 for receiving and grippingly engaging a relatively nonporous ceramic insulating discharge and flame-supporting tube 33. As in the case of porous elements 31, the outside diameter of discharge tube 33 is slightly greater than the diameter of bore 32 so that tube 33 is held in place by the yieldable resilient nature of plug as. It will also be noted that the inward end of discharge tube 33 is vertically spaced from porous ceramic metering element 31 and communicates therewith through passage 27 in molded rubber plug 26. The outward end of discharge tube 33 extends beyond the outside face 29 of plug 26 and preferably to and slightly beyond the upper limit of shell 10. We prefer that the outside face 29 of plug 26 be recessed slightly within shell Ill.

Flame-supporting discharge tube 33 serves to maintain the flame away from and in spaced relation to the opening in upper end of shell 10. So positioning the flame reduces heating of the shell by it and contributes to the natural appearance of the candle when burning.

The bore of discharge tube 33 is larger than the bore of passage 27. This relationship permits the simple and eflicient pin-type stopper 35 to be employed for turning on and off the discharge of gas from the candle. Pin-type stopper 35 is shown in place in the elevational view of the candle in FIGURE 1. Stopper 35 passes cleanly through the bore of discharge tube 33 out has a slightly greater outside diameter than the bore of passage 27 so that it may easily be forced into passage 27, producing a slight enlargement of the passage and a corresponding gripping and sealing engagement of stopper 35 by passage 27 because of the yieldable resilient nature of rubber plug 26. It will be understood that our invention comprehends the use of other material than rubber for both plugs 12 and 26, it being preferred only that the plug material used be able to eifect a gasand liquid-tight seal with the other components of the candle.

In operation, the candle is charged with liquid petroleum from a conventional and readily available low pressure can of such fuel or the like through the lower end of the candle by means of the cooperative operation of recessed counterbore 14 and valving means 13 in plug 12, closing the lower end of shell 10. The order of pressures involved are from approximately 15 to pounds per square inch gauge. The fuel is passed in liquid form from the supply can into shell 10. With pin-type stopper in place through bore 34 of discharge tube 33 and in sealing engagement within bore 27, the candle stands charged and ready to burn the self-contained supply of liquid petroleum. In addition to effectively closing and sealing the discharge end of the candle, stopper 35 closely simulates the unlighted stranded wick of a conventional wax candle and, to this end, may be provided with a slight curve in the upper portion of its length. When it is desired to light the candle, stopper 35 is removed from passage 27 and discharge tube 33, permitting a gentle discharge of fuel in gaseous form from discharge tube 33. The porous ceramic metering element 31 produces a pressure drop between the interior of shell 10 and atmosphere suflicient to maintain the self-contained supply of fuel in liquid form while providing a supply of gas suficient to produce a candle-like flame when ignited. The flame stands and appears to be supported on or adjacent to the uppermost end of discharge tube 33 and bears a striking resemblance to the flame of an ordinary wax candle. The height and size of the flame may be varied by the porosity of ceramic metering element 31 in a manner that will be familiar to those skilled in the art of porous ceramic burners. When it is desired to extinguish the flame of the candle, pin-type stopper 35 is inserted through bore 34 of discharge tube 33 and into sealing engagement with and within passage 27 of plug 26 thereby cutting off the supply of gas evaporated from the liquid fuel contained within the candle. With even a modest amount of liquid fuel of low pressures of from 15 to 30 pounds, the candle will burn with a natural candle-like flame for a number of hours; While the pressure within shell 10 falls as fuel is consumed, the flame size decreases only slightly and not in an abnormal or undesirable amount.

It will be apparent that We have provided a highly decorative gas burning candle having a self-contained fuel supply that is easily and simply replenished when necessary. The candle embodying our invention resembles an ordinary wax candle to a high degree, both when lighted and burning and when unlighted due to the simple, effective and unique wick-simulating stopper effectively empioycd to close the discharge opening in the upper end of the candle. The results and advantages of our candle are obtained through the use of a simple structure which eiiiciently and effectively operates to achieve our objects.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made in the apparatus described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A liquid petroleum gas burner comprising an above-atmospheric pressure chamber for containing a supply of petroleum gas under sufficient pressure to maintain it in a liquid state,

an outlet passage extending from said chamber to atmosphere,

porous ceramic pressure-reducing and metering means in said outlet passage for maintaining a pressure differential between said chamber and atmosphere sufficient to maintain petroleum gas within said chamber in a liquid state and to permit the escape of metered amounts of petroleum gas in an evaporated state from said chamber,

a yieldable resilient length of said outlet passage on the atmospheric pressure side of said porous ceramic pressure-reducing and metering means and a pin stopper having an outside diameter greater than the bore of said yieldable resilient passage for frictional retaining engagement therewith and adapted to be removed and replaced from and into sealing engagement and frictional retention with and within said yieldable resilient passage and against pressure in said above-atmospheric pressure chamber for permitting and preventing the escape of the contents of said chamber out of said outlet passage.

2. A liquid petroleum gas burner comprising an above-atmospheric pressure chamber for containing a supply of petroleum gas under suflicient pressure to maintain it in a liquid state,

an outlet passage extending from said chamber to atmosphere,

porous ceramic pressure-reducing and metering means in said outlet passage for maintaining a pressure differential between said chamber and atmosphere sufficient to maintain petroleum gas within said chamber in a liquid state and to permit the escape of metered amounts of petroleum gas in an evaporated state from said chamber,

a ceramic heat-insulating and flame-supporting discharge tube in said outlet passage on and spaced from the atmospheric pressure side of said porous ceramic pressure-reducing and metering means,

a yieldable resilient length of said outlet passage between the atmospheric pressure side of said porous ceramic pressure-reducing and metering means and said discharge tube and having a bore of less diameter than the bore of said discharge tube, and

a pin stopper having an outside diameter less than the bore of said discharge tube and greater than the bore of said yieldable resilient passage adapted to be removed and replaced through the bore of said discharge tube and from and into sealing engagement with and within .said yieldable resilient passage for permitting and preventing the escape of the contents of said chamber out of said outlet passage.

3. A candle for burning gas evaporated from a selfcontained rechargeable supply of liquid petroleum comprising a candle-shaped shell,

a first yieldable resilient plug having opposite end faces and inserted in one end of said shell and sealing said one end and having an inlet passage extending therethrough from an end face outside said shell to an end face inside said shell,

a valve means within said inlet passage in said first plug spring-biased to close said inlet passage to fluid flow out of said shell and operable to permit fluid flow into said shell,

a second yieldable resilient plug having opposite end faces and inserted in the other end of said shell and sealing said other end and having an outlet passage bore of said discharge tube and greater than the bore of said yieldable resilient length of said outlet References Cited by the Examiner extending therethrough from an end face outside said shell to an end face inside said shell, UNITED STATES PATENTS a porous ceramic pressure-reducing and metering means 1,780,152 11/30 Blmbaum 15835 in said outlet passage in said second plug adjacent 15 2,442,746 6/48 APderson i inside end face, 2,620,643 12/ 52 Nissen 67-7.1

a cylindrical ceramic heat-insulating and flame-support- 2,732,699 1/56 W 67-7-1 ing discharge tube in said passage in said second plug 2,747,394 5/56 Nlssen 677-1 adjacent to and extending outwardly at least to said 2,984,093 5/61 Goodard 6755 outside end face of said second plug, the inward Lowenthan end of said discharge tube being spaced in said pas- Grub et sage from said porous ceramic means,

said outlet passage between the inward end of said discharge tube and said porous ceramic means having a yieldable resilient wall forming a bore of less diameter than the bore of said discharge tube, and

a pin stopper having an outside diameter less than the FOREIGN PATENTS 109,133 of 1917 Great Britain.

EDWARD J. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS BURNER COMPRISING AN ABOVE-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE CHAMBER FOR CONTAINING A SUPPLY OF PETROLEUM GAS UNDER SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN IT IN A LIQUID STATE, AN OUTLET PASSAGE EXTENDING FROM CHAMBER TO ATMOSPHERE, POROUS CERAMIC PRESSURE-REDUCING AND METERING MEANS IN SAID OUTLET PASSAGE FOR MAINTAINING A PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN SAID CHAMBER AND ATMOSPHERE SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN PERTROLEUM GAS WITHIN SAID CHAMBER IN A LIQUID STATE AND TO PERMIT THE ESCAPE OF METERED AMOUNTS OF PERROLEUM GAS IN AN EVAPORATED STATE FROM SAID CHAMBER. A YIELDABLE RESILIENT LENGTH OF SAID OUTLET PASSAGE ON THE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE SIDE OF SAID POROUS CERAMIC PRESSURE-REDUCING AND METERING MEANS AND A PIN STOPPER HAVING AN OUTSIDE DIAMETER GREATER THAN THE BORE OF SAID YIELDABLE RESILIENT PASSAGE FOR FRICTIONAL RETAINING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH AND ADAPTED TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED FROM AND INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT AND FRICTIONAL RETENTION WITH AND WITHIN SAID YIELD RESILIENT PASSAGE AND AGAINST PRESSURE IN SAID ABOVE-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE CHAMBER FOR PERMITTING AND PREVENTING THE ESCAPE OD THE CONTENTS OF SAID CHAMBER OUT OF SAID OUTLET PASSAGE. 